Dr. Sue Carnell - Chief Deputy Superintendent | Michigan Department of Education
Dr. Michael F. Rice, the 44th superintendent of public instruction in Michigan, has announced his retirement, which will take effect on October 3. Dr. Rice made this announcement after serving six years in the role.
“It’s been an honor to serve Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children over the last six school years,” stated Dr. Rice. He expressed gratitude towards the State Board of Education, Governor Whitmer, and other educational bodies for their support in improving education in Michigan.
Dr. Pamela Pugh, President of the State Board of Education, lauded Dr. Rice for his dedication to students. “It has been an honor to serve alongside Dr. Michael Rice over the past six years,” Dr. Pugh said, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing children's needs through various initiatives during his tenure.
Under Dr. Rice's leadership, Michigan witnessed its highest four-year graduation rate of 82.8% in 2024. His tenure also marked significant achievements such as increased participation in secondary school programs and the launch of the Michigan School Meals Program, offering universal free meals for public school students. Additionally, the mental health and school safety budget was significantly increased, which expanded the number of counselors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists in schools.
Dr. Rice played a crucial role in revamping Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan in 2020. This plan included goals for improving graduation rates and secondary education programs. Key achievements under this plan included increasing the number of students graduating from Career and Technical Education programs and significant funding increases for schools.
Efforts to address the state's teacher shortage saw legislative appropriations of $1.1 billion over three fiscal years. Dr. Rice also advocated for literacy and dyslexia legislation to strengthen early literacy and professional development for educators.
Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) has also been consistently ranked high nationally, aligning with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's vision for accessible preschool.
Despite his retirement, Dr. Rice plans to remain active in the education field through writing, consulting, and mentoring. “Family members are getting older and, with a nod to Robert Frost, I have promises to keep to them,” he remarked, signaling a shift in focus towards personal commitments.
Before joining the Michigan Department of Education, Dr. Rice served 17 years as a superintendent in local districts, including Kalamazoo and Clifton, N.J. His education career began in Washington, D.C., where he taught French and developed a speech and debate program.
Dr. Rice completed his academic training at Yale University, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, and New York University, from which he holds a master's and doctorate in public administration.
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